Sareee (Sarray) Reflects On WWE Run, Expresses Her Interest In Challenging For IWGP Women’s Title

Sareee has her sights set on the IWGP Women’s Championship.

Sareee has her sights set on the IWGP Women’s Championship.

Sareee announced that she would be joining WWE in February 2020, but her arrival was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She eventually made her NXT debut under the name of Sarray in April 2021. After an inconsistent run on NXT, Sarray was inactive for several months before she confirmed her departure from WWE in March 2023.

Speaking with Monthly Puroresu, Sareee reflected on her departure from WWE. She noted that she learned a lot during her time with the company, but she wasn’t able to bring her entire repertoire to the company. However, she stated that she didn’t regret the experience.

“I’m really happy I went. I gained a lot of knowledge, I suppose. I did learn a lot while I was in the United States. I wasn’t able to bring my entire wrestling repertoire to the WWE, but I have absolutely no regrets about going. It wasn’t at all a failure,” Sareee said.

When asked to elaborate, Sareee described how WWE is a large organization that has a wide range of performers. She referenced WWE’s regime change, when Triple H took over as the head of creative in July 2022, and she stated that she was unable to give it her all. Sareee also pointed to the number of new fans she gained through her time in WWE.

“Since it is a large organization, there are many diverse characters, and a lot of things change whenever the top management changes. I traveled to the U.S. and other countries since I was unable to give my fight my all. As a result, the number of new admirers who came to support me has significantly increased. I wanted to demonstrate my strength to the fullest extent possible,” Sareee said.

Moving forward, Sareee emphasized that she wants to help women’s wrestling grow, especially in Japan. She stated that she thought the way it has grown since her time away was “fantastic”, but she wants to take it to even greater heights.

“Yes, interest in women’s wrestling is growing. I think that’s fantastic, and I also think it’s fantastic how women’s wrestling has developed during my absence. I’m appreciative of that, but if we can give it more grit and fight, I believe women’s wrestling can grow much more,” Sareee said.

Sareee also cited her connection with Antonio Inoki and noted that she was taught by the legend, as well as the members of All Japan Women’s Wrestling, among others. With that in mind, she was asked about her interest in the IWGP Women’s Championship, which is currently held by Mayu Iwatani. Sareee started that she is curious about the title, and she wants to pursue it.

“Since Mr. Inoki invented the initial IWGP belt, I’m curious about it. After having returned to Japan, it’s one of the belts I want to pursue. Without a doubt, I want to roll it up. But to find out if that happens I’ll have to wait,” Sareee said.

At the Sareee-ISM event on May 16, Sareee returned to the ring and lost to Chihiro Hashimoto. 

Sareee previously reflected on her time in WWE. Click here to see what she had to say.

In the past, Sareee has wrestled for Seadlinnng, Sendi Girls’ Pro Wrestling, and World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana, among other promotions. 

In addition to the IWGP Women’s Championship, NJPW crowned the inaugural NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship at NJPW Resurgence. More information is available here.